The layoffs are reportedly occurring in many different departments including manufacturing and sales

Research In Motion (RIM) has officially started laying off employees after suffering a huge quarterly financial loss and losing the smartphone race against the likes of Apple and Google.

RIM hasn't announced exactly how many layoffs have occurred or how many will occur, but many people are posting on RIM forums like Crackberry.com saying that the layoffs have begun.

The layoffs are reportedly occurring in many different departments including manufacturing and sales. It is said that severance packages are being offered to these employees.

"RIM has committed to achieving significant efficiencies and operating cost reductions over the course of this fiscal year," said Tenille Kennedy, RIM spokesperson. "Our financial target is to drive at least $1 billion in savings by the end of fiscal 2013. Head count reductions are part of this initiative."

Previous reports released last month indicated that RIM was looking to cut 2,000 jobs total during this time period. That is about 12 percent of RIM's 16,500 worldwide workforce. However, new reports are saying that RIM may cut as many as 6,000 jobs this round -- 36 percent of its global workforce.

RIM's layoffs and need for $1 billion in savings stems from a poor Q1 2012 financial report, which was a $125 million USD loss. Before that, the company lost market share to Apple's iPhone and Google's Android-powered phones. RIM's BlackBerry smartphones just couldn't compete, and even its BlackBerry PlayBook took a dive after release. But, to be fair, Apple's iPad is king of the tablet market and no other competitor has been able to touch it. The Kindle Fire has been the only tablet to cut into Apple's market share during the holiday season in 2011, where Amazon moved 4.7 million units and Apple moved 15.4 million units.

With this much competition, RIM is sinking and looking to layoffs for a partial answer. Some have even said that RIM may become a candidate for bankruptcy or a sale.